Danny Evins, founder of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, passed away on January 14, 2012, at the age of 76. Evins sparked controversy in 1991 after he defended a company directive to fire employees “whose sexual preferences fail to demonstrate normal heterosexual values.”

Danny Evins, founder of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, passed away on January 14, 2012, at the age of 76. Evins sparked controversy in 1991 after he defended a company directive to fire employees “whose sexual preferences fail to demonstrate normal heterosexual values.” Evins’s explanation for the edict was that gay people made customers in rural areas uncomfortable. Following the directive, it was estimated that as many as 16 openly or suspected gay employees were promptly fired. The policy was put into writing. The New York City Employees Retirement System led other stock owners in using their votes and other legal means to organize resistance. Several months after the policy was enacted, Evins apologized and said the policy had been rescinded. In 2002, after much pressure from shareholders, Cracker Barrel’s board voted unanimously to explicitly forbid anti – gay discrimination in its equal employment policy.

Under United States law, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) does not enforce the protections that prohibit discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation. However, with the repeal of the Military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, many Gay and Lesbian Organizations are hopeful that the discrimination based on sexual orientation will be prohibited in all work places. To date, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Please visit the EEOC’s website for further information: www.eeoc.gov/policy/vii.html.

The attorneys at Leeds Morelli & Brown, P.C., dedicate a large amount of their practice to employment discrimination claims. For any questions, contact an attorney at the Leeds Brown Law, P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-800-585-4658. Leeds Brown Law, P.C.’s website is located at www.lmblaw.com.

The firm recovered approximately $19 million dollars on behalf of a group of mostly Asian condominium owners in a breach of contract case against a construction company and prominent bank in Flushing, Queens.

A federal jury awarded our client, a gay corrections officer, $1.55 million in damages, finding that officers at the Nassau County jail discriminated against him.

TESTIMONIALS

I would like to take this time to offer my sincere thanks to the phenomenal team at Leeds Brown Law in Carle Place, Long Island, New York in quickly resolving my sexual harassment case. I would especially like to express my gratitude and extreme appreciation to Jeffrey Brown [and] Lenard Leeds … for all of their hard work, genuine integrity, dedication and time spent on my case, as well as determined focus and intellectual and ethical genius that promptly made my case come to an end.

H.W.C.

I am a single mother of three, a victim of sexual harassment and dismissal from my employer…. Leeds Brown Law provided outstanding representation in settling my claim. Jeff Brown made me feel comfortable right away and was clear about my rights…. I am very pleased with the end result and would highly recommend Jeff Brown as an attorney.

M.K.

Leeds Brown did a tremendous job in successfully representing myself and my business in a very complicated federal case… multiple big law firms who all told me that I was facing personal exposure of at least 10 million dollars… without them my victory would have been impossible. I am forever grateful to Leeds Brown Law for putting a horrible nightmare behind me… The firm produced an outstanding result that I will never forget.

Mike Saporito

As a former New York Giant linebacker, I appreciate toughness, undivided loyalty and passion. That is why I am giving Jeffrey Brown and his winning team at Leeds Brown Law the highest recommendation possible. I am convinced that no other law firm could have produced the same home run result…

Jessie Armstead

Former NY GIANT LINEBACKER

I highly recommend the legal services of Leeds Brown Law, and partner Jeffrey K. Brown. They achieve successful outcomes by leveraging their legal knowledge with a vast network of technical resources and professional support. What sets this firm apart is their intuitive negotiating skills and ability to care for the well being of their clients. Jeffrey Brown has delivered outstanding results on my behalf toward reaching settlement with a large multinational corporation. His personal approach and professional demeanor is unique among his peers. I have high regard for his abilities and have since referred many clients to his firm.

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